Vietnam hopes for stronger bonds with Norway

Vietnam already fosters more than stabil relations with Denmark and Sweden. Now they’re reaching out for Norway.

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan visited Norway and among others the Norwegian Foreign Ministry Kenneth Svendsen from June 8-14.

After the visit Nhan reported to Vietnamese media, that the bonds of the two nations does not yet match with their potential and strength. Though he also highlighted the development in economic, trade and investment that links Vietnam and Norway.

During the visit Nhan also met with he Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries. On this occasion the VFF leader told Vietnamese media, he hoped that Norway will enhance its sharing of experience, support and technological transfer with Vietnam in the maritime sector, ship building, petroleum and aquaculture.

At a working session with Norwegian law makers, Nhan introduced the hosts to the position and role played by the VFF in Vietnam’s political system. Meanwhile, the parliamentarians briefed Nhan on activities of social organisations in the country.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Norwegian law makers said they hope relevant parties will abide by international law and convention on the law of the sea.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese official worked with representatives from the Norway Church Aid (NCA), praising the organisation’s contribution to charity activities in Vietnam. He hoped to foster information exchange and action coordination between NCA and the VFF in the future.

In a meeting between Nhan and leaders of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), the two sides discussed the possibility to boost cooperation in training researchers between the NTNU and its Vietnamese counterparts, and looked back on the efficiency of the NTNU’s science research projects in Vietnam.

During his stay, the VFF leader also visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Norway and met with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Oslo, during which he informed them about the Vietnam’s development in recent times.